Thanks! This one seemed pretty obvious somehow - and the tattoos where fun. The ones on the wings seem to work best in my mind, as there's actually alittle contrast there - while the ones on her chest-feathers seem to lack abit of "pop".

Well you could have argued that she is stuck with eagle traits like MaHaSuchi has hooves, but then you wouldn't get to do the cool tattoos.

It comes down to an executive decision for all the non-ponies, do you treat them like people or like monsters? Ponies can exalt. Griffons can exalt now. What about cows, buffalo, dragons...? Very few of the creatures in the show don't talk. The woodland creatures that Fluttershy cares for and Applejack's dog are the only ones that come to mind. The big monsters like the Manticore, Hydra, and Ursa Minor are clearly monsters but with most of them the lines are not as clear.

Many of them can just be labeled Beastmen and leave it at that. Such as the Diamond Dogs. HEck, they almost fit into Exalted already with their canon design!

besides, if ponies are the humans of the setting - then keep in mind there are more than just humans in creation

Halta has many beastmen living with mortals peacefully for example.

if zebras are southerners or from harborhead, then gryphons could be haltans - seeing as the typical haltan isn't strictly human. they're known for being ambidextrous to the point that they can use their feet as hands, plus they live close enough to the elemental pole of wood that certain other changes (greenish skin, hair color mostly) are quite common.

The bond exists, yes, but there are plenty of examples of Lunars or Solars being "friend-zoned" by a Mate whose orientation is no longer compatible with their feelings...which is what this pair feels like to me.

Also, as I recall, in Exalted the whole gender doesn't matter / non-monogamy thing is actually directly linked for some nobles (ESPECIALLY Dynasts) - if you only fool around with the same gender, there won't be any bastards. Clever!